Trauma In Prisons

In order to effectively break the cycle of crime and poverty that many individuals in the county jail system are victimized by due to unresolved psychological issues (such as trauma), we must work to treat and rehabilitate those incarcerated. The importance of reentry treatment for trauma issues of inmates is deeply enmeshed in evidence based practice and trauma informed practice. There is a direct correlation between trauma treatment for inmates and lowered recidivism. In order to ensure that there is a lower incidence of reoffence it is imperative to explore the root precipitant of the offenses. Unresolved trauma leads to poor impulse control, anger outbursts, depressive symptoms and increased likelihood of substance abuse. In addressing

One objective is to utilize the most powerful tool at psychotherapy’s disposal; the group experience. By one individual sharing their experience within the group, the other members are able to identify their similar experiences and work toward their own growth. Group therapy also increases self-awareness of clients in order for them to think introspectively in order to make a change in behaviors, increases social comfort, allowing exploration of new behaviors, provide and obtain support, develop communication skills, and promote interactions with others using truth and

The strengths of the group approach are outlined throughout this text, but there also some limitations. Some of these limitations may be that without the use of individual therapy prior to the institutions of group therapy that there may be some hesitation of the inmates to share openly for fear of being seen as weak amongst their peers, there is also limited privacy despite the confidentiality agreement, and the incidence of personalities within the group clashing and causing more interpersonal issues for the individual. With the correct implementation of the group and the proper techniques the group process has higher success rates than the absence of group therapy by 43%. The goal of this group is to teach appropriate techniques for symptom management and work on development of healthy coping skills for anxiety and tension related to their trauma. It is said that those in the criminal system are 4x more likely to commit crimes due to the maladaptive coping mechanisms (as this results in an increase in lack of impulse